NU Bulldogs tactician Jeff Napa bares no regrets after up-and-down campaign in UAAP Season 87.
The NU Bulldogs faced a lot of adversity during their campaign in UAAP Season 87, being tested early after losing their foreign student-athlete from their first game of the year.
After rough stretches, especially in the first round where they ended up with a 2-5 record, the Bulldogs ended their year on a high note, winning three of their last four matches of the season.
Finally able to get into their rhythm without FSA Mo Diassana, the Bulldogs not only ended with a respectable 5-9 record, they also won against both of last year’s finalists.
Ending the season with a big win over defending champions La Salle, head coach Jeff Napa spoke about how his players stepped up despite all the challenges that came their way.
“Unang-una, di na namin iniisip yung what if na yun eh. San ako naging proud? Sa lahat. Sa lahat ng ginawa nila,” said Napa after their win over La Salle last November 13.
[RELATED: UAAP: NU stops streaking La Salle in non-bearing game to end Season 87 campaign on a high]
“Kasi, basta sikreto na lang kung ano yung mga challenge na na-experience nila kumbaga. Happy ako na tinagos nila yun. No matter what happened,” he added.
For Napa, the wins didn’t matter as long as he saw that his players were fighting for their school. While a lot of the close games didn’t favor the Bulldogs, it will only serve as fuel for the next season.
“Yun nga, kami, looking forward to perform for next year, may galit. So, hopefully, kahit wala na tong dalawang engineer namin, meron pumalit na willing to step up to become a leader talaga,” Napa said, speaking of graduates Pat Yu and Donn Lim.
Among those he expects to step up is PJ Palacielo, who has been a revelation for the Bulldogs in his second year.
During their final game against La Salle, Palacielo was the driving force behind the convincing win that stopped the Green Archers’ 9-game winning streak to end the eliminations.
Now armed with more experience, Napa believes Palacielo will grow into an even better player, along with those expected to join the Bulldogs’ den in the coming year.
“Kagaya nito ni PJ, meron pang two playing years, na ngayon pinakita niya kung ano yung kakayanan niya talaga. So, kumbaga, mas lalo niyang naintindihan niya kung ano yung value niya sa team,” he said.
“We will expect for him next year na talagang load kumbaga. Kasama ni Jake [Figueroa], ni Jolo [Manansala], at saka si Nash [Enriquez]. Yung mga yan. Yung core, nandito parin naman eh. Buo parin. Lalagyan lang namin ng mga bata dun sa baba,” he added.
Among mentioned incoming players are Jed Solomon, and Juancho Palanca.